There is an
unknown story connected with the family of Anderson T. Keister and his wife
Fannie Wall.Anderson, the son of Jacob
and Mary Keister, was born in Virginia on January 11, 1858 and married Fannie
Wall on July 2, 1895 in Montgomery Co., VA.

In April of
1896, their first son, Floyd Hubbert Keister was born, followed in September of
1897 by the birth of their first daughter, Lucy M. Keister.A second son, Archie Phlegar Keister was
born in about 1898 but “died young” according to one source.This is confirmed by the 1900 Roanoke
County, Virginia census when Anderson and Fannie Keister were living in the Big
Lick District.

Charlie
Milligan Keister was born in 1905 and Jack Wall Keister in 1906.Up to this time, the family seemed much like
any other.There was the sad time of
Archie Keister’s death but 4 other children were living.

In about 1908
twins were born to Anderson and Fannie Keister.They were named Carrie and Fannie but Carrie “died young” and
Fannie “died in infancy.”In 1911
another set of twins was born.Joe
Daniel Keister survived until 1944 but William Bryant Keister “died in
infancy.”Finally Sandy Keister was
born about 1915 but also “died young.”These deaths are confirmed by the 1920 Virginia Census records.

Between 1908
and approximately 1915, Anderson and Fannie had 5 children born and only 1
survived.One set of twins died and of
a second set of twins, only one lived.Of 12 children beginning in 1896, 5 died before 1920.

This is what
makes the 1920 Virginia Census records so interesting.Anderson T. Keister is found in one
household in Montgomery County with his son Jack Wall Keister but his wife
Fanny Wall Keister is listed as the head of another household on West Main
Street in Blacksburg, Virginia.The
rest of the surviving children are living with Fanny.Whether or how the long succession of tragedies contributed to
Anderson and Fanny Keister’s separation is unknown.